CSoriano: On Gary Snyder

A. Simple Thoughts on Snyder's Journal.
   
    These journals were written during his time as a lookout and bring the audience into the everyday life experiences of a lookout. From these notes taken by Snyder, we learn that being a look out takes patience and good observation. The journals written about August 12 & 14 are good examples to show what can happen during a normal day as a lookout. It is very evident that the time Snyder was writing these journals was the same time he was studying Zen Buddhism because buddhist terms and practices are referred to such as words like "zazen." He also took interest in Japanese culture as well, mentioning Japanese words like "shoji" and "zoris."

B. reaction to 1 or more poems.

    "Hay For the Horses" is a poem that stands from all the other poems in my opinion. It speaks of a night in which a hay bucker, one who delivers hay, comes to rest after a long day of driving through dangerous terrain. The mood is quite regretful, in the idea that the hay bucker comes to a realization that he never wanted to be the person he is now, a hay bucker. The reason why this poem stands out from all the others is because it seems to have a meaning out of all the other poems in the chapter. Also, "Hay For the Horses" doesn't seem to fit the chapter title, "Riprap," which can metaphorically mean "to strengthen a structure." But maybe it was the hay bucker's realization that he never wanted to be a hay bucker that strengthened him as a person, and this understanding was his "riprap." A simple reflection can reveal a lot about one's self.

C. includes 1 or more of your poems

Trees fluctuating,
But the wind flows constantly
In one direction.


Blinded by sunlight,
I cannot see anything
Oh, how ironic.

D. Include a journal of your own (Aka Snyder) for two days of your life.

12 August

sip recommended dosage of coke,
unfortunately warm
do not recommend, personally
enter high school courtyard around 7:41
last night studied until
one.
warm coke takes effect during
science portion, attention divided.
complete in utter dismay

Mission San Jose High School Gym 13 August

"Caveat Evan, Carlo, Tony, Trevor..." points coach dan.
mind responds undaunted after
attempt to be daunted
unfortunate size leads to unfortune
in the sport of barēbōru (volleyball).
pass pass pass

http://endlinevolleyball.com/